Dr. Brett Jacobsen, SAIS president, provides a monthly perspective on the drivers, signals, and trends impacting the education sector.

Hello there! As we enter this season of gratitude, I want to express my appreciation for the many ways you have engaged with SAIS and one another this fall. From thoughtful dialogue in webinars and virtual roundtables to the connections forged through leadership programs and the energy and ideas exchanged at our Annual Conference, your participation reflects the strength of our independent school community. Your willingness to share perspectives, challenge assumptions, and learn alongside colleagues continues to shape SAIS as a community of expertise and connection.

Building on the spirit of shared learning, I encourage you to explore this month’s Trend Tracker and Pulse Perspectives, offering timely insights and practical context to help translate future-focused thinking into clear, actionable objectives.

Trend Tracker

Research featured in the November Trend Tracker reveals important shifts in how students learn, how employees experience work, and how families make educational choices. Teachers are questioning the effectiveness of classroom devices, while AI is accelerating demand for technological fluency alongside critical thinking and human judgment. Meanwhile, Gallup finds that only 41% of workers hold quality jobs, and SAIS research indicates that fewer than half of teachers consider their compensation competitive, underscoring challenges for faculty recruitment and retention.

Beyond the classroom, research shows that more than one-fifth of parents have switched their child’s school type, often citing bullying, anxiety, or unmet academic needs. Dual enrollment has surpassed three million high school students, reflecting increasingly varied pathways to college. At the same time, emerging federal scholarship opportunities and regulatory developments require schools to evaluate both risks and opportunities through the lens of their missions and values.

See slide deck for research, resources, and critical questions for school leaders.

Trend Tracker, November 2026 (Web Version)

Pulse Perspectives

Reflecting real-time perspectives representing the voices in our association, we solicited feedback from SAIS CFOs/business officers and marketing/communication professionals  to complete a pulse survey focused on opportunities, challenges, and priorities:

CFOs & Business Officers

  • While 66% of schools report strong or very strong financial health, down from 69% in 2025 and 72% in 2024, the percentage reporting average financial health increased to 33%, compared with 26% in 2025.
  • Fundraising and enrollment remain leading priorities. Enhancing fundraising efforts (44%) and increasing enrollment (39%) are the top financial goals. Meanwhile, 43% plan significant capital projects, down from 58% in 2025, and 35% identify deferred maintenance as a budget area at risk of being scaled back.
  • Compensation strategies are shifting amid budget pressures. Across-the-board salary increases rose to 45%, while targeted salary adjustments declined from 49% to 39%. Additionally, 22% report being unable to make significant compensation changes because of budget constraints, up from 17%.

Marketing & Communications Professionals

  • School websites and word of mouth are each identified as most effective  communication tools by 57% of respondents, followed by social media (47%) and digital advertising (42%). Website effectiveness increased substantially from 33% in 2025–26.
  • Data tracking is expanding beyond basic activity metrics. Social media metrics are tracked by 87% of respondents, up from 79%, while engagement tracking increased from 60% to 76%, and conversion-rate tracking rose from 58% to 69%.
  • Strategic capacity is the dominant challenge. Balancing daily demands with strategy is cited by 81% of respondents, followed by limited staff or resources (50%) and budget constraints (32%). Meanwhile, AI searchability stands out as an underutilized marketing opportunity, identified by approximately 50% of respondents.

See slide deck for full results.

Pulse Perspectives, November 2026 (Web Version)

Take a deeper dive in the trends and perspectives discussed by registering for an upcoming webinar or a February in-person event SAIS has designed to build capacity for you and your team. 

Leadership can sometimes feel like a journey where everyone looks to you, but few pause to ask how you are doing. Please know that SAIS is here to support you, serve as a trusted resource, and walk alongside you through the opportunities and challenges of leadership. We are grateful for your commitment to your school’s mission and the difference you make each day in the lives of students, families, and colleagues.

I hope you find time to rest, reconnect, and enjoy meaningful moments with family and friends. Wishing you a joyful and restorative Thanksgiving break.

Dr. Brett Jacobsen
SAIS President

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